Early December I travelled to one of my favourite destinations – Marrakech, to experience a stay in the extraordinary Royal Mansour. The hotel has been on my bucket list for years and I was delighted to be invited for a press trip organised by Mason Rose.
The Royal Mansour is located in the bustling heart of Marrakech and attracts visitors with ultimate luxury experiences and accommodation. With 59 independent riads, 4 signature restaurants and a selection of wellness facilities, the Royal Mansour is one of the best hotels to book for your Morocco trip.
ARRIVING AT MARRAKECH MENARA AIRPORT
This time round, passing the passport control at Marrakech Menara Airport was much quicker than usual. When staying at the Royal Mansour, you have a privilege of a fast track service at the airport. Imagine skipping long queues and processing through the airport within minutes! The same applies to your departing journey when you have get the speedy security and immigration checks. This really made my journey smooth and easy!
Then, I was picked up by a private transfer and headed to the hotel. It takes only 12 minutes to reach the Royal Mansour from Menara Airport.
THE ACCOMMODATION
There is a total of 59 traditionally designed riads within the Royal Mansour. From 1 to 4-bedroom options, whether you’re traveling solo or as a family, you will be able to find a perfect match for your stay. Each riad has spacious lounge area as well as a rooftop heated pool which makes it a perfect staycation even during the winter months.
As the Royal Mansour is hugely focused on wellness and beauty, you will find a set of luxurious amenities within your room. The goods from MarocMaroc skincare along with delicious treats and complimentary wine were a nice touch to kick off our stay.
THE ROYAL MANSOUR SPA
The iconic spa at the Royal Mansour is a place like no other. Located in a separate building, this wellness universe welcomes you with an openwork pattern architecture and a selection of rooms where you can indulge in the very best of Moroccan treatments – from traditional hammam to facials and massages. I opted for a lifting facial with the use of MarocMaroc Cactea skincare products and it was the best treatment I’ve ever had.
Additionally to treatment rooms, there is an indoor pool with rejuvenating waters, fitness centre, nail studio as well as the hair salon. This is where the Moroccan heritage meets modern therapies and technologies.
RESTAURANTS AT THE ROYAL MANSOUR
Defined by unforgettable sensory experience, all Royal Mansour restaurants are outstanding in every aspect. From starred chefs, unique flavour combinations to the highest level of service – dining here is a five star experience itself. If you’re a gourmet-lover, booking a table at one of restaurants at the Royal Mansour is a must.
Sesamo Restaurant at the Royal Mansour
Sesamo stands as the ambassador of Italian cuisine in Marrakech. It’s a creation of Massimiliano Alajmo – the only chef in history awarded 3 Michelin stars by the age of 28. The menu at Sesamo offers gourmet family recipes that enhance the locally sourced products. As a vegetarian, I was blown away by the selection of meals available. The innovative approach, the service and food presentation takes traditional Italian cuisine to a whole new level. Since I’m a huge lover of Italian cuisine, Sesamo was my favourite restaurant here at the Royal Mansour.
The elegant bar at Sesamo is a perfect place to grab the aperitivo!
Le Jardin Restaurant at the Royal Mansour
This chic, open-air restaurant offers a selection of modern Asian recipes, sushi, tapas and delicacies from the garden. The lush garden surroundings make it a perfect place to indulge in culinary masterpieces prepared generously by the Royal Mansour chefs. For a private dining experience, the restaurant offers the exclusive table at the NEST. It’s a spacious pavilion suspended over the tropical garden offering the serenity and relaxing views.
My favourites from the menu – roasted vegetables and green salads! If you’re a sushi lover, there is no better place to dine at than Le Jardin.
La Grande Table Marocaine Restaurant at the Royal Mansour
You can’t truly experience the best of Morocco without trying its exceptional cuisine. From delicious tagines to aromatic seafood pastillas and sh’hiwates. The traditional designs of spacious blue pavilions, elegant tableware and poetic melodies from luth create the most atmospheric settings for your dining experience.
The pool area at the Royal Mansour
The hotel has a spacious outdoor lounge area condensed around an aesthetically pleasing heated swimming pool. For me personally, it’s a huge advantage when hotels offer heated pools so you can make the most of your staycation even during low season. The swimming pool area is entirely serene as surrounded by lemon trees and vast gardens.
The pool was one of my favourite spots around the hotel. A morning swim here was incredibly peaceful and relaxing.
The Christmas decorations at the Royal Mansour
Visiting the Royal Mansour in December is truly magical. The hotel displays the abundance of Christmas decorations creating wonderful displays in the main areas and lobbys. From the astonishing entrance to the spa, the Christmas spirit is present everywhere you go!
The Team at the Royal Mansour creates unique displays each year, keeping it exciting for all the visitors.
The excursions from the Royal Mansour
From organising luxury private events to arranging the excursions – the Team will happily help you plan your perfect itinerary. As the hotel is conveniently located near the heart of Medina, you cannot miss visiting the old part of Marrakech while staying here. And if you’d like to add a pinch of adventure to your staycation, why not booking a hot air balloon flight? There is so much to do in and around Marrakech and you cannot miss the opportunity to wander beyond the hotel.
On the first morning of our stay, we were picked up by Ciel D’Afrique and drove to a base where hot air balloons take off. We warmed up by a fireplace sipping traditional mint tea and watched the balloons rise into the sky at sunrise. The 45-minute flight was one of the most incredible experiences I’ve had during my travels. Flying over the berber villages and vast plains and watching the sun rise over the Atlas Mountain range was simply breathtaking!
If you are looking to book a hot air balloon flight in Marrakech, I cannot recommend Ciel D’Afrique enough!
Visiting Marrakech Medina
Just before leaving Marrakech, we went on a guided Medina tour to explore the historical landmarks and markets. It was not my first time exploring the oldest part of Marrakech, but I love revisiting time and time again! Our first stop was Ben Youssef Madrasa – the former Islamic college. You can find more information about this site HERE
This pearl of Moroccan architecture doesn’t fail to impress me each time I visit!
The next stop on our tour was the market – a bustling and vibrant shopping area where you can find anything from textiles to spices, souvenirs, home decor and more.
I’m forever in ave of the goods you can purchase on Marrakech markets. The quality berber carpets will surely decorate my future dream home one day. If you’re coming here to shop, don’t worry about the luggage restrictions as many businesses ship the goods abroad! 🙂
Following the markets, we arrived at Le Jardin Secret. This riad-museum is one of the largest and most ancient palaces in the Medina.
I loved exploring the Islamic gardens of Le Jardin Secret. You should definitely add it to your list of places to visit!
Photo Gallery
Explore the full photo gallery of my latest trip to Marrakech and my stay at the Royal Mansour Marrakech!
